MASSIVE Giants signing Michael De Vere has jetted in to England expecting to face one of his toughest ever challenges.

The Australian Test centre trained with his new teammates for the first time yesterday as Huddersfield gear up for the start of Super League X.

Unhappily, the serious knee injury De Vere suffered in training at previous club Brisbane Broncos is expected to keep him out of the season's opener on Saturday, February 12 at newly-promoted Leigh Centurions.

But whenever he takes to the field to make his Giants' debut he will be braced for a baptism of fire.

And he expects his reputation as a Kangaroos star who has played State of Origin for New South Wales and scored more than 1,000 points in the Australian NRL to make Super League opponents even more determined to make his life difficult.

"I've not come to England for an easy ride, far from it," said the 28-year-old, who was a member of the Kangaroos squad that beat Great Britain in the Ashes series in England two years ago.

"I'm expecting the Super League competition to be very tough, with the standard fairly similar to that in the Australian NRL.

"If I came here expecting to take things for granted I would be lulled into a false sense of security.

"To come here not fully prepared would be a massive shock to the system.

"I'm coming here because I'm desperate for a new major challenge, and Huddersfield seem the ideal club to give me that challenge.

"Back in Australia, I've achieved everything I wanted to achieve.

"I've won Premierships and a World Club Challenge with the Broncos, played State of Origin and represented Australia.

"Now it's time to try and achieve as much as I possibly can with the Giants."

The fact De Vere is likely to miss the game at Leigh with his injury will disappoint many Giants fans.

But medical staff have assured him he is on course to return to action at the estimated time.

"When I get back playing again I'll be 100% fit," he predicted with confidence.

"I was told I would be back playing again by March and everything is going according to plan.

"I would love to be playing in the opening game at Leigh, but at this stage it wouldn't be right taking the risk."